# NTSB ANC96LA120: Cessna 185, N8536L, Kaktovik, AK, August 6, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1996, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Kaktovik, AK
- Coordinates: 70.120185, -143.660079 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.1202&lon=-143.6601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2876/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA120

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions.  A factor associated with the accident was the windshear.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was attempting to land at a remote, narrow gravel airstrip situated in a valley.  While on short final approach, the airplane sank rapidly, despite the application of power.  The airplane continued to sink, hit hard and bounced off the runway.  The pilot believes he encountered a windshear, or an abrupt loss of headwind.

## Factual narrative

On August 6, 1996, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N8536L, sustained substantial damage while landing at a rural, partially improved gravel airstrip situated  in a valley, approximately 73 miles south of Kaktovik, Alaska.  The private pilot/airplane owner and the sole passenger aboard were not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions.  A VFR flight plan was filed.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 13, the pilot stated that he was attempting to land to the south on the narrow 1,300' long strip. He said he estimated the winds as approximately 15 knots from the south. While on short final approach, the pilot said the airplane began to sink rapidly, and despite the application of  power, continued to sink until it landed hard and bounced. He said he added full power, bounced again on the runway, and then went off the runway and into the adjoining willow trees.  The airplane received damage to the wings, fuselage, and empenage.  The pilot said he believed either a wind shear or a loss of headwind caused the airplane to sink rapidly.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8536L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 185
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-1575
- Airframe hours: 3450
- Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael R. Klawitter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1996, 59 hours before
- Departed: BRW, BARROW, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: runway 18, 1,300 × 10 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 981 total, 800 in this make and model, 981 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19960806028289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960806028289A), Aug 6, 1996: Cessna A185E, Kaktovik, AK, Substantial damage. High sink on final. Hard landing on rough strip. Added power bounced lost control exited runway into trees.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.